Get Featured on Steam – The Ultimate Guide for Indie Devs
If you’re an indie developer, your dream likely includes one goal: Get Featured on Steam. Appearing on Steam’s front page can skyrocket your visibility, drive massive sales, and create lifelong fans. But you won’t reach that point through luck; you’ll get there by preparing smartly and understanding how Steam’s ecosystem works. In this guide, you’ll learn everything you need to improve your chances of landing that golden spot.
Why You Should Aim to Get Featured on Steam
Steam’s Front Page = Prime Real Estate
Steam’s front page sees millions of visits every day. The top banner, “Featured & Recommended,” and “New & Trending” sections drive massive traffic. Consequently, a front-page feature on Steam can elevate your game to new heights and attract players you might never reach otherwise.
According to Game World Observer (2023), Steam’s algorithm often boosts games that perform well in engagement, reviews, and wishlists; which can place them directly on the front page.
Two Paths to the Front Page
Steam uses both human curation and personalized algorithms. While Valve curates top banners manually, most other features; like “New & Trending” or genre-specific highlights; rely on performance data. That means you can earn your way in with smart execution.
How to Get Featured on Steam: What Really Works
5. Optimize Your Steam Store Page
Your store page is the foundation. It should convert visitors into wishlisters or buyers quickly. Use clear, well-structured descriptions with bullet points, engaging trailers, and high-quality screenshots. Moreover, apply accurate tags and enable localization for a global reach.
Valve’s own advice in this 2023 guide on Steam visibility emphasizes strong localization, good pricing strategies, and proper tagging as essential factors for increased exposure.
4. Build Wishlists Before Launch
Steam’s “Popular Upcoming” section is fueled by wishlists. The more wishlists you gather, the more Steam is likely to show your game there; and even on the homepage. Encourage wishlisting early by teasing your game on social media, showcasing it at festivals, and sharing a demo.
For instance, participating in Steam Next Fest gives you visibility and helps players try your demo. In fact, Next Fest 2023 helped developers generate thousands of new wishlists during the event.
3. Plan and Execute a Powerful Launch
Steam gives each new release a moment in the spotlight. To maximize this, launch when competition is low; ideally outside major sales or AAA drops. Make sure your launch is bug-free and support your community actively during the first 48 hours.
Launching with a 10% discount also helps, especially when paired with strong reviews and player engagement. Together, these factors increase your visibility in the “New & Trending” carousel.
2. Use Updates and Events to Stay Visible
Visibility doesn’t end at launch. Every time you release a major update, Steam allows an “Update Visibility Round”; your game appears again in various places, including the homepage for returning users.
Additionally, you can boost your game’s visibility by joining themed events like Steam’s horror or puzzle festivals. You can even host your own event or bundle with other developers to gain cross-promotion.
1. Get Coverage from Gaming News Portals
Another smart strategy involves creating buzz outside of Steam to catch the platform’s attention. When gaming websites cover your launch, update, or demo, they drive real traffic to your Steam page; which helps activate the algorithm. In short, external interest builds internal momentum.
For example, submitting your game to indie-focused sites like our own 24indie can put your project in front of the right audience (use the contact form below!). Many of these sites accept review requests, dev interviews, or launch news from small studios. This earned media acts as social proof, which players (and Steam) both love.
Even better, you can link to that article on your Steam News Hub. By sharing third-party coverage through your Steam news updates, you give fans another reason to get excited. It also adds legitimacy and increases the chance that players share your content further.
So, don’t just build your own channels; amplify your reach through platforms that already speak to your audience. It’s a simple yet effective way to gain visibility and increase your chances of landing on Steam’s front page.
Pros and Cons of Getting Featured on Steam
Pros
- Massive Exposure: Millions of impressions in a short period.
- Sales Spike: Most games see a significant revenue increase during a feature.
- Trust Factor: A Steam feature signals legitimacy and builds trust with players.
- Boosted Algorithms: Features lead to higher placements in other sections too.
Cons
- Not Guaranteed: Even if you prepare thoroughly, Steam might not highlight your game right away.
- Short Window: Steam often rotates featured games within just a few hours.
- Server Load: When a sudden wave of players arrives, unprepared systems can quickly break under pressure.
- High Expectations: Players expect polish; bugs can quickly turn success into criticism.
Final Thoughts: Your Road to Getting Featured on Steam
If you want Steam to feature your game, start preparing several months before launch. Polish your Steam page, gather wishlists, schedule your launch wisely, and continue updating your game. Remember: features come from momentum; so your goal is to build that momentum steadily.
Keep your players engaged, offer value, and show Valve (and their algorithms) that your game deserves the spotlight. You’ve got this; and with consistency, it’s not a matter of if, but when you’ll appear on Steam’s front page.
Game World Observer: Steam Visibility (2023)
Game Developer: Valve’s Store Tips (2023)
